TY - JOUR T1 - Point-of-care testing for respiratory infections during and after COVID-19 JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 574 LP - 575 DO - 10.3399/bjgp20X713561 VL - 70 IS - 701 AU - Hannah V Thornton AU - Tanzeela Khalid AU - Alastair D Hay Y1 - 2020/12/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/70/701/574.abstract N2 - The public’s attitude to testing is likely to change in response to SARS-CoV-2 testing. We expect it will not be long before we are asked why tests are not offered for other respiratory infections. Prior to COVID-19, the initial management of most respiratory tract infections (RTIs) was conducted without microbiological testing, with many suggesting the consequent diagnostic uncertainty1 to be a leading cause of antibiotic overprescribing2 and resistance.3 Standard laboratory methods are too slow for initial decision making necessitating the use of rapid point-of-care testing. This technology, advocated as key to future antimicrobial stewardship,4 is now available and able to provide comprehensive respiratory virus panel results, including SARS-CoV-2, in 45 minutes.5–7Last winter, our team led the first exploratory investigation of the use of a multiviral point-of-care test using upper respiratory tract swabs in UK primary care. We found testing was acceptable to patients and improved clinician diagnostic certainty.8 However, clinicians were concerned about the absence of randomised trial … ER -